Title: The Poppy War
Author: R.F. Kuang
Series: The Poppy War #1
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Voyager

A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.

When Rin aced the Keju — the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies — it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard — the most elite military school in Nikan — was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power — an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive — and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away…

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity… and that it may already be too late.

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The Poppy War by R.F Kuang has been sitting on my shelves for AGES! I had an entire month TBR set up, where I was going to join the Magical Readathon, but the mood reading hit so and The Poppy War was the book my heart screamed for.

🔥 🔥 🔥

The Poppy War is the first book in the Chinese-inspired groundbreaking fantasy series by R.F. Kuang, and you won’t believe this is a debut novel.

In this story, you follow Rin, an orphan drug mule who will do anything to get out of her circumstances and make a future for herself. After nearly killing herself studying, Rin wins her place in one of the most prestigious schools in the country and aims to become a military prowess. But politics and magic get in the way, and it’s up to her to trace her new path.

Let’s talk about the world-building. Kuang created a complex and immersive world inspired by Chinese history and mythology. It’s gritty, dark, and filled with magic, gods, and war. The attention to detail and the descriptions are impressive and, sometimes, gruesome. It feels like you’re there in the middle of it all.

Following Rin, the world and lore is slowly revealed through her experiences at Sinegard, the empire’s military school. Although there are a few skirmishes and disturbing moments, the school section is just a preview of what’s coming. The second half of the book is where the action ramps up, with large-scale battles and political intrigue taking center stage.

This book is not for the faint of heart. There are battles, blood, and betrayals. The magic system, based on shamanism and gods, is both fascinating and terrifying, and delves into interesting discussions about lore and theological themes.

Kuang doesn’t shy away from showing the brutal realities of war. Her portrayal of a soldier’s spirit and the terror during the battles will leave you heartbroken. There are also some revolting war situations that are too horrifying to describe.

I must say though, around the last third of the book, the plot flies a bit all over the place unnecessarily and it could be tightened up a bit. But it’s such a small gripe that barely counts in the whole awesomeness that is The Poppy War.

We need to talk about Rin. She is a war orphan who escapes her shitty life by being driven and ambitious, but also deeply scarred by her experiences growing up. Rin’s determined to prove herself, both to her peers at Sinegard and to herself.

As Rin begins to discover her shamanic powers, she becomes more powerful, but also more unhinged. She’s constantly at war with herself, struggling to reconcile her desire for power and revenge with her sense of morality, and her descent into the extreme “I’ll do what it takes” is beautiful and heartbreaking.

Surprisingly, I didn’t enjoy the side characters as much as I thought I would. They all have their own motivations and backstories, which make them feel like real people, and Kitay and Altan are two stand-outs. But they slightly missed the “making me care” mark.

I know I’m late to the party, but The Poppy War is everything it promised to be. With groundbreaking fantasy, innovative magic, addicting political intrigue and complex characters, this is an amazing fantasy debut that I can’t believe I waited this long to read.